Scan barcode
ametakinetos's review against another edition
4.0
Only 24 years late to the party...
Absolutely delightful. Absorbed it in two sittings. I think as much as pop culture is inundated with rags-to-riches and princess stories, there is still something in me that loves when it is done correctly. Also loving the fact that this is a YA novel actually designed for the lower end of the demographic, instead of the explicit content marketed for the entire age group yet barely suitable for even the eldest.
Would I have enjoyed this more in my younger years? Probably. But happy to have finally had the chance now.
Absolutely delightful. Absorbed it in two sittings. I think as much as pop culture is inundated with rags-to-riches and princess stories, there is still something in me that loves when it is done correctly. Also loving the fact that this is a YA novel actually designed for the lower end of the demographic, instead of the explicit content marketed for the entire age group yet barely suitable for even the eldest.
Would I have enjoyed this more in my younger years? Probably. But happy to have finally had the chance now.
Spoiler
All y'all doing fancasts or posting pics from the movie - listen. Love Hugh Dancy as much as the next babe, but Char is clearly stated in the book to be "swarthy" and dark-skinned. A faithful movie adaptation with literally any one of the talented dark-skinned young actors kicking around these days would be *chef's kiss*annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I have no idea why this book never really crossed my path. I've never seen the movie either. For some reason this story wanted to be found at the right moment and it seems that the right moment for me to find this story was today. I was really looking forward to discovering this classic that's beloved by so many. And since it was quite clear that this book was actually gonna be a fairytale I didn't doubt I was gonna like the book.
This book is an amazing and easy read from start to finish. The book is relatively short, although true fairytales are of course even shorter, and yet it never feels like things are rushed. What needs to be explained is explained. What can be summarized is summarized and what doesn't need to be told is not being told. Just like the language was not more complicated than it had to be to picture this lovely fantasy world.
Although the book is short it's almost impossible not to like Ella. I think everyone understands why she is who she is. How basically the curse made her into who she is. If you have to be obedient, if you have to follow commands, if you have no choice, no matter what it is, you will always have that urge for freedom and will to do whatever you can to find it. It made her outgoing, playful and she certainly also was, without it becoming annoying, a rebel.
I personally would have loved to see a little more of the prince in person to completely buy the romance. It's clear the prince was a nice and understanding guy. It's also clear he was not looking for a stiff and well behaved girl to become his wife, but the interactions between them were so nice to read! The letters they eventually started exchanging were nice too, especially because they told us a lot about both characters, but still. More scenes with them together would have been even better!
I can't wait to dive into the other book set in this world.
This book is an amazing and easy read from start to finish. The book is relatively short, although true fairytales are of course even shorter, and yet it never feels like things are rushed. What needs to be explained is explained. What can be summarized is summarized and what doesn't need to be told is not being told. Just like the language was not more complicated than it had to be to picture this lovely fantasy world.
Although the book is short it's almost impossible not to like Ella. I think everyone understands why she is who she is. How basically the curse made her into who she is. If you have to be obedient, if you have to follow commands, if you have no choice, no matter what it is, you will always have that urge for freedom and will to do whatever you can to find it. It made her outgoing, playful and she certainly also was, without it becoming annoying, a rebel.
I personally would have loved to see a little more of the prince in person to completely buy the romance. It's clear the prince was a nice and understanding guy. It's also clear he was not looking for a stiff and well behaved girl to become his wife, but the interactions between them were so nice to read! The letters they eventually started exchanging were nice too, especially because they told us a lot about both characters, but still. More scenes with them together would have been even better!
I can't wait to dive into the other book set in this world.
lillianviolinist's review against another edition
4.5
My head says 4 stars but my heart says 5 stars so we are splitting the difference. Full transparency: Prince Char was basically my first book crush so I'll never be able to be objective about this book. On reread, I think this book has some pacing issues. I think the final act (the balls and proposal) is too short to truly satisfy. This will always be a favorite of mine
interreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
reelabbz's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mavvian's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
treyn2489's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Favorite book. Refuse to watch the movie. I’ve read it a million times.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this re-telling of the Cinderella fairy tale. Ella is the beloved daughter of Sir Peter and Lady Eleanor of Frell. Unfortunately for Ella, however, at her birth she was given a special gift by the fairy Lucinda – obedience. What Lucinda didn’t realize is that her gift was potentially a serious curse. Ella has to do anything she is ordered to do, whether to “smile” or to “throw yourself off the cliff.” You know the basic story line – stepmother and odious stepsisters, the prince’s ball, etc, so I won’t recap further.
What I find refreshing about Levine’s story is that Ella is a strong-willed, resilient, resourceful and independent young woman. She’s also kind and loving – truly a good friends. Yes, she’s lovely. And, yes, Prince Charmont is handsome. But what draws them to one another is their complimentary personalities. Their relationship unfolds over months, not just over one dance. I also like how Levine plays with language, going so far as to invent several new languages for the various communities (elves, ogres, other countries). I’d definitely recommend this for the 9-and-older reader.
What I find refreshing about Levine’s story is that Ella is a strong-willed, resilient, resourceful and independent young woman. She’s also kind and loving – truly a good friends. Yes, she’s lovely. And, yes, Prince Charmont is handsome. But what draws them to one another is their complimentary personalities. Their relationship unfolds over months, not just over one dance. I also like how Levine plays with language, going so far as to invent several new languages for the various communities (elves, ogres, other countries). I’d definitely recommend this for the 9-and-older reader.
chriscat12's review against another edition
4.0
Okay so not gonna lie, at first I could barely get through this...but then again, that was fourth-grade me who had to read it for a book report, so that's not saying much. What is saying much is that I read this so many times when I was a little older that the cover is almost falling off. hehe oops.
But no, in actuality I do really like this book. If you like fantasy and a clean romance and any variant on the Cinderella story then this one is for you--it has magic and fairies and princes and all of that stuff someone may want in a fantasy for readers who are maybe middle school aged. It's a good story, and I admire Ella's persistence and her strength in enduring all she did for all those years. Like guys she was cursed to always obey anything anyone ever said to her, and that has got to be rough. The examples of what she had to do are pretty rotten, but it could be so much worse. WARNING: SPOILERS--And the fact that she was able to break the curse herself was so much better than having any fairy break it for her or any prince kiss her. Yes, the final straw that pushed her to break it, outwardly, was a situation with Char, but still, I believe it was truly a matter of everything over the years that she had been through, and a matter of a grave situation. Either way, she did it on her own after enduring a whole journey that she started out on on her own.
Ella is an excellent role model in terms of not letting your circumstances hold you down from what you really want to achieve in life.
Oh, and her friend at finishing school is really awesome and I seriously dislike Hattie for what she made Ella do to her, like seriously can't Hattie just shut up and stop being an idiot? Apparently not.
Anyway, I would recommend this book, for sure.
But no, in actuality I do really like this book. If you like fantasy and a clean romance and any variant on the Cinderella story then this one is for you--it has magic and fairies and princes and all of that stuff someone may want in a fantasy for readers who are maybe middle school aged. It's a good story, and I admire Ella's persistence and her strength in enduring all she did for all those years. Like guys she was cursed to always obey anything anyone ever said to her, and that has got to be rough. The examples of what she had to do are pretty rotten, but it could be so much worse. WARNING: SPOILERS--And the fact that she was able to break the curse herself was so much better than having any fairy break it for her or any prince kiss her. Yes, the final straw that pushed her to break it, outwardly, was a situation with Char, but still, I believe it was truly a matter of everything over the years that she had been through, and a matter of a grave situation. Either way, she did it on her own after enduring a whole journey that she started out on on her own.
Ella is an excellent role model in terms of not letting your circumstances hold you down from what you really want to achieve in life.
Oh, and her friend at finishing school is really awesome and I seriously dislike Hattie for what she made Ella do to her, like seriously can't Hattie just shut up and stop being an idiot? Apparently not.
Anyway, I would recommend this book, for sure.